I started the install on my 2012 JKU for the snorkel kit. Taking my time after work but I snapped a few pictures. I haven't found much on install help for this so I figured I will post it here in case someone is interested.

I started the install on my 2012 JKU for the snorkel kit. Taking my time after work but I snapped a few pictures. I haven't found much on install help for this so I figured I will post it here in case someone is interested.

Start of the job I will be taking the passenger fender off.

The fender is off wasn't to bad at all. You can see the basic work area now.

I just put the snorkel into the position it will be sitting so you get the idea of the process. Its pretty basic. Now comes the process of hooking it all up. Replacing bottom of air box and putting the "duct" work in. I will continue on tonight.

How much did this kit cost you?

oliver_jeep

05-21-2013 08:54 AM

$327 delivered to my door from 4wd.com I had them price match someone.

WhiskeyMike

05-21-2013 09:32 AM

Aren't there some cuts you need to make? If so where? Can you talk through that part with pics? Also, what was involved in taking the fender off? How long did that take?

Love your hood lettering! The font and stacking looks fantastic.

oliver_jeep

05-21-2013 09:44 AM

I do have to cut the cowl off of the fender. Taking the fender off is EASY just take the bolts out like in the instructions and it comes off very easy. The hardest part was pulling the atenna wire out but a pare of plyers and patience and it popped out. I will get pictures tonight of the cowl cutting its VERY basic from what I'm seeing. I spent about an hour or two doing what you see so far but I'm going VERY slow and cleaning as I go while I'm helping my wife with our kids.

live_slow

05-21-2013 10:02 AM

Thanks. Tagged. I'm going to do this, but probably late/summer fall.

It always takes me about 4X the time to do things as instructions say it sould, so I'll need all the pictures and write ups I can find.

K9LYFGRD

05-21-2013 12:42 PM

Any idea of how much if any does the snorkle restrict airflow over say a K&N?

oliver_jeep

05-22-2013 08:19 AM

Last night I got through cutting the fender and getting most of the groundwork laid out. At this point I'm basically left with silicone sealing the snorkel and re-installing everything. Hoping to finish tonight. I just started a Flickr photo set to avoid having to upload it the hard way. Any questions just ask...

Last night I got through cutting the fender and getting most of the groundwork laid out. At this point I'm basically left with silicone sealing the snorkel and re-installing everything. Hoping to finish tonight. I just started a Flickr photo set to avoid having to upload it the hard way. Any questions just ask...

That is a picture of the heat sheild off of the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. The aluminium pipe part of the snorkel runs through here and you can see the dents where I took a 20" 1/2 socket extension with a hammer to beat it out of the way.

oliver_jeep

05-23-2013 08:03 AM

An update for everyone. As of this point I am EXTREMELY unhappy with the product but I haven't talked to RR yet. Here are my issues:

- The air intake tube coming off of the air box is at too much of an angle to fit correctly. I can make it work however it looks like crap and quite honestly shouldn't be like this. The Rugged Ridge Air box bolts into the tray on the engine bay so its not like I could have done that wrong but I will assume its me until they can't tell me how to solve this.

- The biggest issue I have right now is with my inner fender. I have BushWacker flat fenders HOWEVER they use the OEM inner fenders and the inners bolt into the same holes as when it was stock. Problem is, the snorkel tubing completely blocks my ability to put the inner fender in without a ton of cutting on it which makes the inner basically worthless. The snorkel is already pushed up against the heat shield so i can't go back any further.

At this point I'm probably going to use the bracket they provide to put the cowl back on the fender and just go back to stock for now. I just simply do not accept the fact that an inner fender doesn't fit and that my intake tube is all out of wack. When paying for this item I'm paying mostly for the engineering and design of the item. I see a HUGE lack of design and compatibility without rigging or cutting things that in my opinion are just not an option. I don't cry every time I get a scratch but I'm not going to ghetto something just because a vendor says thats the only way. I will post pictures of these issues and get a hold of RR today. I also ordered this from 4WD.com and even specifically asked about compatibility with my fenders and I was assured since I'm using stock inners it would be no problem.

Ricks Rubicon

05-23-2013 08:12 AM

Damn. I had been thinking about adding one of these. Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing your experience.

Matador

05-23-2013 08:38 AM

That's disappointing, please keep us updated.

n3tfury

05-23-2013 09:03 AM

Crap! Hopefully they get your issues resolved. Thanks for the write up and info, I know it can be a PITA.

oliver_jeep

05-23-2013 11:13 AM

I'll get you guys an update with more photos. I will elaborate but RR rep was very helpful and I got it "functional" I still have 2 issues but they aren't show stoppers. They are still working with me and seem concerned and motivated to resolve it so thats a very good mark for the company itself.

My 2 problems are the fender is sticking out on the back of the fender and that the breather tube coming off the air box is angled to high so it doesn't bolt onto the top of the radiator area like it did before. I have an idea for the inner fender to pull it back in but I'm waiting on a reply from RR. As far as the breather tube its functional, doesn't seem to rub on the hood, and is solid. I'd still like to see a fix but I'll see what Rugged Ridge does.

I guess the major factors on deciding between the snorkels on the market, assuming they all help prevent hydrolock with proper use, are:

- performance (and if not equal, what losses or gains are in the most-used part of the power band)
- what you have to cut (cutting fender, cutting cowl or cutting hood)
- cost
- "looks"

robdizzle

05-23-2013 01:17 PM

Sucks your having issues but it is nice to see a company trying to help you out. Nice rig by the way!

WhiskeyMike

05-23-2013 02:16 PM

Great pictures, thanks for going through all the effort. That cut didn't seem bad at all.

I was hoping that it didn't occupy the air box space so that it could be a potential 2nd battery location.

oliver_jeep

05-23-2013 03:16 PM

The cut isn't bad. They also give you a bracket to put the cowl back on so I'm not screwed if something changes. Still waiting to hear from them on my 2 remaining problems. I may try screwing the inner fender to the frame or something to draw it in tonight fixing 1 of the problems. I don't see myself getting a fix for the breather tube...

MacCTD

05-23-2013 08:41 PM

Looks good, but why did you choose this over the AEV? it seems much more complicated.

oliver_jeep

05-24-2013 08:05 AM

I have 2 reasons I didn't.

1. I don't want to cut the hood until I'm sure I want a snorkel. I actually don't go boating in my Jeep but when I offroad we sometimes hit a mudhole that looks shallow and it can suck you in and this is more of an insurance policy.

2. I personally love the ability to put the low mount snorkel on so that I dont have the RAM air going up the windsheild. For long distance driving or just general use it doesn't whistle in the wind and doesn't block any of my view.

On another note I actually like the look of this overall. It is more work but in the end it looks good.

Matador

05-24-2013 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oliver_jeep
(Post 3788279)

I have 2 reasons I didn't.

1. I don't want to cut the hood until I'm sure I want a snorkel. I actually don't go boating in my Jeep but when I offroad we sometimes hit a mudhole that looks shallow and it can suck you in and this is more of an insurance policy.

2. I personally love the ability to put the low mount snorkel on so that I dont have the RAM air going up the windsheild. For long distance driving or just general use it doesn't whistle in the wind and doesn't block any of my view.

On another note I actually like the look of this overall. It is more work but in the end it looks good.

Can you take a photo from inside on the Driver's side? I'm curious to see how much view the snorkel blocks.

oliver_jeep

05-24-2013 08:57 AM

Yeah Ill snap one at lunch for you and post it here.

GonzoBobH

05-24-2013 10:30 AM

If you had to do it all over again, would you purchase this same kit?

BobH

oliver_jeep

05-24-2013 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GonzoBobH
(Post 3788649)

If you had to do it all over again, would you purchase this same kit?

BobH

I probably still would. I just hate getting into projects like this and getting issues that I have to resolve myself. In my opinion it should be something RR has to deal with not me. Thats why a box of plastic and tubing costs more than just what plastic should cost. You pay for the design and ideas behind it so that you can install a working product while following the instructions they outline. In the end I have a breather tube to work on but its nothing I can't live with. I haven't heard back from the RR rep and my last e-mail to him I mentioned I post all of my results on a forum Good & Bad and I hope I didn't put a bad taste in his mouth I just want everyone to know what they are getting. Hopefully he can help me out...